Bud Thomas hit 3-pointers on three consecutive possessions to give Mercer (24-8) a 16-8 advantage and the Bears never let the lead slip to fewer than five points the rest of the way.

White scored 20 second-half points to keep Jacksonville (12-18) at bay. Jacksonville closed to within 53-48 in the second half but White responded with a pair of free throws before Thomas' fifth 3 of the night extended the lead back to double digits at 58-48.